This is actually a decent question. I never considered that different variations may actually influence who I play as more. I think I will say variations. There are characters I have really liked in the past who I didn't like playing as due to their style. MKX might change this.

Characters.


Why you ask? Knowing a characters in and out's through all 3 variations allows you to better prepare for all types of match up's and if your opponent is counter picking you can always switch off to another character that you know is a better match up based on a variation.

Character. Take a guess which one.

Ermac = wow out all day long.

Maybe variations, but I'm looking forward to trying all the variations for the character I select...

Right now looking forward to...

Mileena's piercing variation looks like fun

Sub-zero's cryomancer

Scorpion's Ninjitsu

Probably gonna main characters. D'Vorah and Johnny Cage.

Characters. You have to be well rounded. Tournaments online are going to be cut throat-tough. Invest the time, and main as many as you feel comfortable with.

Characters.
I think that this variation System will aloud you to have a play style for every character that could be used in any situation.
Maybe One character even amog their 3 variations don ́t will have all the tools to beat the entire roster, but will have at least a options that could stand a chance against any playstyle.

I'll play to master all three Kano's variations, but I think my favorite will be the "Commando" one.